Nissan Claims Carlos Ghosn Took Home $9 Million In Improper Payments

January 19, 2019

Shortly after it was revealed that the French government is seeking to remove Carlos Ghosn from his post as Renault’s CEO, both the latter ans Nissan and have claimed that Ghosn received improper payments of €7.8 million ($8.9 million) via joint venture between the automakers.

Nissan asserts that Ghosn received a healthy compensation package from the Netherlands-based joint venture but signed the contract without consulting Nissan chief executive Hiroto Saikawa and Mitsubishi chief executive Osamu Masuko, BBC reports.

"Nissan views the payments Ghosn received from [the joint venture company] to be the result of misconduct and will consider measures to recover from Ghosn the full sum," the automaker said in a statement.

These revelations are just the latest in a series of controversies surrounding Ghosn to have emerged in recent weeks.

The former industry-leading executive who was credited with turning Nissan’s fortunes around has been charged with financial misconduct and breach of trust and remains under detention in Japan. He is accused of hiding his true compensation from Japanese authorities and failing to disclose almost $80 million in payments between 2010 and 2018.

Shortly after the allegations were made public, Ghosn was stripped of his executive roles at Nissan and Mitsubishi. However, he has remains Renault chairman and chief executive since his arrest in November – something that may change very soon.

The French government owns a 15 per cent stake in Renault and is reportedly requesting a board meeting to discuss potential candidates to replace him as Renault chief executive. Thierry Bollore is acting as an interim chief executive for the moment.

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